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View Full Version : Price VS Novelty



ydeardorff
02-11-2009, 10:34 PM
Hello to all,

I have done my searching on this forum to day regarding price of the persu hybrid. I have read on some sites quoting the intro price will below 20K others stating 20 to 25K. My concern for this hybrid is yes I want one, this model or the phiaro. Given these are two very similiar vehicles.
I have been an automotive buff for many years, and watchfully kept my eye on the market, and seeing how people react to shiny new toys.
The problem I see is this is a vehicle to designed to first be fun, but also functional. Next comes the major reason people would buy a hybrid, is to save money. There are other cars like the insight that are full electric vehicles but sport a rather impractical price tag and maintenance cost. The batteries alone must be replaced every 12 months, at a cost of 3200 dollars according to the dealership. Do the math and you might as well drive a V8 truck to work every day. This firmly places it into the novelty side of the market, and has killed its sales nation wide. If the price of this stunning persu Hybrid is set too high it will cut off most of the market, and place it into the novelty market making it a very expensive toy rather than an every day vehicle with thousands of sales, like the successful VW bug of the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Despite the fact it gets 70+ per gallon doesn't help when your dropping 400+ a month just in payments.
Ive excitedly shown most of the people at work this car. They get interested until the price tag of near 20K is pointed out. Despite the fact of all the safety features, performance, and range, people snub there noses at it, saying Im not paying 20K for a motorcycle, cool looking or not. Wether there impression is correct or not. Its what I commonly found as the answer coming my way.
I personally would love one of these and anxoiusly await their release. But I worry about the success of this vehicle if the sales pitch and price is delivered wrong.
I know it may be scoffed at, but a price tag of 14-17 with options would be more practical, and probably sell more units than a 20+ price tag.

Just my 2c

I cant wait until I can go see one in a dealership!

Derwin
02-12-2009, 12:13 AM
I know it may be scoffed at, but a price tag of 14-17 with options would be more practical, and probably sell more units than a 20+ price tag.

Just my 2c

I cant wait until I can go see one in a dealership!

Welcome to the club! wel;co;m;e101))

I have to say Amen, brother! I agree with what your saying. I would love to see this available BELOW 20K, but I think the more realistic pricetag will be around 22K to 25K. Will it leave a lot out of the market? Yep. But I still think there will be plenty of people driving these off the showroom floor even at the higher price. And if I have the money when it becomes available, I'll be one of them!

But it would be nice if they would offer this up at the 18K that they originally stated a couple years ago.

By the way, If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me, or any other club admin.

Again, welcome to the club!

Derwin

ydeardorff
02-12-2009, 01:28 AM
Oh I agree,.. any new toy will be selling initially like hot cakes. But greater sales numbers will sell at a lower price. The profit may be lower per unit sold. But if more units sell you still make your profits, if not more.
I would like to see these become the new VW beetle. Not another insight. If a base model could be offered at at least an economy car price, it would be within the financial reach of more people.
I know with where I live this would perfect for everyone. Provided I could justify paying the money for one. Otherwise I will have to settle for my 95 Geo Metro.
I personally think the price of the Carver is absurd. Its pushed so far into the novelty market its just a toy for the rich. LOL And thank you for your response! I plan to keep a close eye on this forum, and up here in washington for local dealerships popping up soon.

AZEqualizer
02-12-2009, 12:24 PM
Yes, I think everyone would like to be able to buy one for under $20K ... the practicality is that an equivalent motorcycle or trike (with out air) would be in the mid $20k range so I don't think your going to see this type of vehicle for $17K ... at least not without a whole lot of subsidies.

ydeardorff
02-12-2009, 02:08 PM
Its too bad the govt (city,state, and federal) wouldnt offer cash off incentives to buy hybrid vehicles.
The biggest reponse I keep hearing is why would I spend that much, whenI can get a whole car for less.
This vehicle cannot be compared to a Gold Wing or the like. This is an entirely new vehicle to the market, once the initial WOW wears off, Im just hoping the price wont be a killer to its future.

How could the persu company get subsidies to make the cost of this vehicle more approachable to the working class? And I dont mean the White collar working class, but rather the blue collar workers. The ones whom need cars like this, and are the majority of the people on the road.
I would think this would be something the govt would WANT people to drive.

AZEqualizer
02-12-2009, 02:20 PM
Its too bad the govt (city,state, and federal) wouldnt offer cash off incentives to buy hybrid vehicles. ...
I would think this would be something the govt would WANT people to drive.

See this thread (http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1234)... but from what I have seen so far I think the 2&3 wheel vehicles are being left out again. So there may still be some time to let your legislature know how you feel and even if it doesn't get into this package maybe it will influence some future one.


Also if you go to this thread (http://www.flytheroadclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=547&highlight=vehicle+voice)- you will see that Persu (then Venture Vehicles) had Vehicle Voice do a survey that had some price comparisons in them to see if their pricing was in a acceptable range.

ydeardorff
02-12-2009, 03:02 PM
Thank you. Perhaps the reason the 2 and 3 wheeled vehicles have been left out, is until now no one has made anything like this. Carver, Persue, Phiaro, and BMW may be the first companies to produce these en mass. Hopefull with the release of these vehicles we'll see some eyes opened, and legislature changed! (-:

Miracleman89
02-12-2009, 06:46 PM
ydearorff- to my understanding the Carver and Persu are the only two looking to go into production. The BMW was a transportation study for urban vehicles and the Phiaro never had any plans to go to production with their design. But I agree with you thatI think this will usher in a whole new era new transportation and will definitely get legislators to change legislation!